Waihi isite Visitor Centre

14/09/2026

Echo Walking Festival 2027 Dates
27th March to 18th April 2027

14/09/2026

Evenings are getting longer, and you know what that means… summer is just around the corner!! ☀️

This one is shaping up to be a real goodie!! We’ve got two dates for you to add to your calendars right now: December 19th, Christmas in the Village is back by popular demand!! With our long table Christmas dinner, free Christmas crafts, activities, carols and more right in the centre of our Village - you’re invited to celebrate the festive season with us!

Then, on January 30th, we’re bringing you Beach Fest!! A free, fun day out that you will not want to miss! We’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure that this one is an event you’ll want to come back to year after year ☀️ We’ll have plenty more to share closer to the time 🤫

We’re not the only ones making Waihī Beach a must visit location this summer though. Over the next few months, keep checking our website to see What’s On and why our little slice of paradise is a must-visit for so many every year! 🙌

📸 Chantae

14/09/2026

4 new road rules will become law on 1 October 2026. Here's what they are:

The aim of the new rules is to make people’s travel safer and better reflect how people already use the roads. From 1 October:

• Children 12-years-old and under can ride bikes on footpaths and parents or caregivers can ride with them.
• People can ride e-scooters in cycle lanes.
• Drivers must leave a minimum gap of 1.5 metres when passing other types of road users.
• People must give way to buses leaving bus stops in areas with speed limits of 60km/h or less.

Earlier this year we asked for your feedback on these changes. We passed your feedback onto the Minister of Transport – there was broad support for the changes the Government proposed, and the Minister decided on the above.

We’ll keep you updated here – follow us if you aren’t already to get updates. There's also more information on our website: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/changes-to-lane-use

14/09/2026

What's your emergency superpower?

✅ Staying calm under pressure
✅ Organising people
✅ Using two-way radios
✅ Solving problems
✅ Communicating clearly
✅ Keeping people fed and making a mean cuppa

Believe it or not, all of these can be useful during an emergency.

September is our Volunteer Recruitment Month and we know not all heroes wear capes.

Tell us your super-power in the comments, and while you are at it, sign up with Volunteering Waikato to become an Emergency Management volunteer before 30 September.

Learn more about the role and sign up - volunteeringwaikato.org.nz/emergency-management

07/09/2026

Next closure dates (weather dependant) 12th to 16th October 2026

Behind the scenes in the Gorge ...

If you’ve ridden through Karangahake Gorge, you’ll know just how dramatic those cliffs are. This week, specialist rope-access crews have been high above SH2, inspecting the steep rock faces and removing loose or unstable material as part of NZTA’s rock-scaling work.

Because of the proximity of the works to the historic tunnel entrance, both the road and tunnel have needed daytime closures while the crew work safely overhead. The good news for Trail users is that this first phase is now complete, helping improve the safety and resilience of this spectacular route through the Gorge.

There’s a second week of work planned for 12–16 October, so keep an eye on the Hauraki Rail Trail website if you’re planning a ride through the Gorge then.

In the meantime, enjoy this rather fabulous sneak peek at the people doing the work most of us would need a very good reason to be doing! 😳🧗‍♀️

https://www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz/page/93660-trail-status
Photo credit: NZ Herald

07/09/2026

Any constructive feedback for the Hauraki Rail Trail is welcomed. Please complete a survey asap.

07/09/2026

Great news about Goldfields Railway, back on track, towards summer. Some restrictions at first, until everything is operating at full speed.
Please check their website www.waihirail.co.nz to verify times and if bikes can be carried yet.

UPDATE: Goldfields Railway - PASSENGER SERVICE DATES
DATE: 4 September 2026
ISSUE: 🚂 Goldfields Railway is looking forward to resuming operations with a set schedule soon. For now the following dates are available for trail users to take the train:

Saturday 12 September - departing Waihi 11.30am and 1.45pm. Departing Waikino - 1.00pm and 2.30pm (2.30pm is a one-way trip only).

Sunday 13 September - departing Waihi at 9.45am and 11.30am. Departing Waikino - 10.45am and 1.00pm. (1.00pm is a one-way trip only).

Friday 18 September - departing Waihi Station at 1.45pm

The train may not be able to carry bikes on their first weekend back, so please call ahead to check prior to travel 07 863 9020.

We’ll share further updates as they come to hand. Please note the Waikino Station Café remains open for trail users to enjoy. 🚴‍♀️ 💚
https://www.waihirail.co.nz/

16/08/2026

29/07/2026

It's all happening again - for the 26th year at the Waikino Hall - We're thrilled to let artists across New Zealand know all about how were hoping to make it more affordable for not only you but the good people hoping to take a small piece of you home with them. We are hoping to encourage artists to provide art below the $150 mark by changing our commission from 20% to 15% for art within this price bracket.